Solstice Greetings

Wow alot has happened since last year. I don't really keep up with a blog. I have an old fashioned journal that I enjoy writing in when I get a chance. you folks who keep blogs and update them on a regular basis I am amazed. So lets see, I got married in Dec. 2011. Moved April 2012 and here we are on the eve of the summer solstice. Gothchild is 17 and just started drivers ed. She will be a senior in the fall. Bohochild will be 14 in a few weeks and will be a freshman come fall. The hubs and I look at these girls and are astounded by them. I can remember when they each walked for the first time, or rode their bikes etc. I am having a "mom moment" as gothchild calls it. I am having alot of "mom-moments" as I watch her to continue to develop into a young woman. The most I can say is, I am very blessed. The Goddess watches over us and blesses us each day with her goodness. Blessed be

The Creative Goddess that I am

I am a Creative Goddess, I have always thought so. But "The Dame's Got Moxie" has confirmed what I have long thought about myself. Check out the blog that came about from my tweets before a much heralded "business lunch" that I had to attend. http://thedamesgotmoxie.blogspot.com/2011/05/thevirtualstylist-gypsywoman35-business.html

The blog was so on target, I was awed and astonished. Now is all this self glorifying moi justified, CERTAINLY I say. Not to the point of total narcissim. But to the fact of further fully embracing the creative person that I am.

I have been making blankets, baskets, cards, and other projects for the last few years. I never once really looked at what I was making as being creative. Just things I picked up on doing. Hobbies and somewhat of a business, since I have people paying me to make customized gift baskets for them.

So yes, you may look and scoff, "Creative Goddess indeed" I look and say, "Creative Goddess hot damn!"

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Well summer 2011 is in full swing. The kids are out of school and scattered about with various activities, classes, camps and of course parties. The weather, well I live in Michigan. The saying is, "if you don't like the weather give it 20 mins. it will change".

So far we have had wonderful outings with the tribe, and my guy. We have been all over the place, parks, malls and just enjoying time together. If we aren't out and about then we are at a friends house who has a pool and she has given me keys and carte blanche to use the pool whenever, now that's how I roll LOL.

My gothchild is now 16 and in full swing of being a teenager. Suddenly, she is going to parties and (shudder) dating. My bohochild is now 13 and she is still finding her path. But both girls are happy and thriving. As a parent that's all you can ask. The girls are enrolled in art classes, drama camp and making their pligrimage to Colorado later this summer.

As for moi, I am ok. Other than the usual pain, I am mostly good. I am working on various activities and events surrounding gothchilds school. But I also have avoided back to back meetings and scheduling events that I know I don't want to do. For once my summer is going by quietly for the most part and I LOVE THAT!

So yes, we are having "hot fun in the summertime"

Spring is on the horizon

Well I must say that we the people in the state of Michigan have EARNED our spring this year. Actually I think the United States as a whole has paid in full several times for the upcoming spring weather.

I don't kvetch about winter too much. I mean I live in Michigan, hello winter happens here. But between the snow and ice, lots of ice we just seemed to have winter set up camp during February and take root.

Tonight it's supposed to be rather chilly below 20 degrees. But then that sets up the week for what should be rising temps a little each day. By mid week temps in the 50's! The 50's I can deal with 50 degree temps. 50 is good in my book LOL.

Spring break will soon be upon us. I will soon have a 16yr old. I can't believe that I will have a child old enough to drive. Drive whose car is still a mystery, cause it won't be mine LOL. But still my oldest will be 16 and she has already decided on her celebratory dinner/dessert.

If that wasnt milestone enough "the baby" will be 13 a true teenager this summer. Why is time flying by so fast all of a sudden. I seem to remember just a few days ago I had a toddler and an infant in my arms.

At any rate, as spring approaches I have decided to clear out not only my cupboards and closet of items. I am clearing out my life as well. I have unjoined certain groups and social networking sites. I have cleaned out my facebook friends of folks who befriended me but never said anything to me. And now I will be letting go of some personal obligations as well.

Nothing is wrong, I just feel it's time to reflect and restructure who I am. These changes, these metamorphisis if you will are good. They are good for the soul and the psyche. If you don't allow yourself to change you stagnate and that my friends is something I don't want to do.

I feel and see things coming on the horizon in my life. Change is the proverbial house cleaner if you will. People will be moved in and around and even out of your life. Its ok, perhaps that person's reason for being in your life has been served. If someone is supposed to stick around, they will.

So open up a window and your arms and embrace the change of seasons once more.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Zippity do-dah that was how 2010 went by. In a blur and it's December 2010. The year while it zipped past certainly has had it's memorable moments. And what would the year be like without the mandatory bumps that life hands us.

Overall, still very much in love with my guy. We both decided to stop fighting what the universe is saying and just be together. We decided that the universe message was along the lines of, "you two are nuts and to save the rest of human-kind I am keeping you two together no matter what" LOL

That being said, my tribe is very happy, they love my honey as if he were their dad. Which I must say he is pleased as can be to step into that role. He loves them completely and is there supporting them along the way.

Despite other family challenges, 2010 has been ok. Still have my health and parts of my sanity. I mean lets be honest I was never completely sane. Parenthood isn't for wimps and you have to be slightly nuts to have and raise kids.

My bff of 29yrs and I are looking at next year and want to do something to celebrate 30yrs of being friends. I suggested going to a tropical island and being served drinks by men who live to serve us. She being the realist suggested a girls weekend of laughing and other debaughery closer to home. Either way drinks will be involved and that is a good thing.

I will soon be 45 (jan 3rd) if you wish to send me a card:-) Anyway to be friends with someone for 30yrs. I don't just mean a casual friend. I mean I can call in the middle of the night, and bawl my eyes out type of friend. The type of friend that if she got arrrested I may not have bail money but I would be there to do what I could.

Tis a rare friendship indeed that survives this long in this day and age. We met at the age of 15 on the bus to camp. Good Old Camp Nissokone to be exact. As I recall it was not friendship at first sight. She was bossy and pissed me off LOL.

However, somehow we got to know each other and wha-la here we are. We were pregnant with our 1st children at the same time. She is the Godmother to my girls. And now we are surviving divorce together.

Our paths in life have been very, very different. Yet, no matter the path we knew that each of us was there along the way cheering the other on. At times being a friend, a good friend entails keeping your mouth shut when you KNOW you should say something. But usually one or both of us will say to the other, "why didn't you say something to me" to which the universal answer is, "because you were determined to do it no matter what was said."

So as 2010 draws to a close, I know that I cried, laughed and listened to my best bud and that she did the same for me. Look out 2011 here we come, cocktail glasses in hand.

True Love will find a way

Well here we are the beginning of fall in michigan. It's a chilly 50 degrees at 4:47am. Yes, pain has already started that lovely ritual of keeping me awake. Can't complain I am awake, Goddess knows that is the biggest battle, waking up each day.

Well seems that relationship that I thought I was dissolving a few blogs ago, is not only still going on, its stronger and better than it's ever been. We have both come to the conclusion that the universe is going to keep us together no matter what LOL.

During the years we have been involved and have separated for one reason or another, we seem to end up back together. We both laugh at the fact that we are both so nuts, and rather unique that the universe is keeping us together so that we dont' rattle anyone else's cage.

I am very fine, being with him. He is the one who totally gets me, all my quirks and irks so to speak. I just as well know him and his quirks and irks too. Don't get me wrong, we love each other intensely. But not everyday is a day at the beach and that's ok. We have made a commitment to each other to stay together. To work out whatever may come our way.

I am there to help him care for his mom, and watch for her and him. As I have stated before being a fulltime caregiver is hard. But despite that huge task he wants us in his life 100%. That statement carries alot of love and responsibility. We have both been married before and know what mistakes we have made with former mates. We will make mistakes with each other and yes piss each other off. But this time, this time we will take the time to perhaps yell, get upset, then cool off and listen to what the other person has to say.

The level of love, trust and respect I have for him is something that comes with hard work, and yes taking the time to fully know this man and enjoy who he is. He fully loves my girls and they love him just as much.

So it's not your "traditional" family. The important thing is that it is a family and that's all that matter.

This is going to make me stronger?

Well lots of family things going on. First let me state my kids are having a blast this summer. I have girls 15 & 12 and they have had one of the busiest and fun summers in a long time.

Being a single mom we can't just up and leave whenever. But I have managed to get one to camp for the first time and my oldest earned a scholarship to attend art classes at a local art school.

So if we aren't in the pool, at a barbeque, then we have been in the house in the a/c. Needless to say Michigan has had it's hottest summer yet. But we are not complaining we are thanking the Goddess for allowing to have working a/c to begin with.

Now on another note, I love being a mom and I wouldn't trade my kids or the experience of being a mother for all the money in the world...I mean that 1000%. However, my ex and his family plainly put SUCK! I know you can't pick your family in terms of who your parents etc are. But I guess I did sort of pick my mate many moon ago.

Well this summer my girls made a very adult, powerful decision on their part. It was a very emotional decision. I commend them for tackling something that I wish that they didn't have to, but circumstances and people being and acting how they are, the decision was the right one.

I know being a mom is challenging experience and I always say that "parenthood is not for wimps" LOL. Parenthood is not to be taken lightly at all in any way shape or form.

I am here to support my girls 100% and they know it. So I guess, yes, certain parts of the family tree do SUCK. Perhaps its time to dissect those branches from the tree altogether. The tree can and will continue to grow strong despite a few wayward branches.

All I can say is to certain folks you are missing out on alot. My kids are fantastic, smart, healthy and yes beautiful. They make me laugh and we have at times all cried together.

But I tell you hearing them laugh even now at the age of 15 & 12 brings a smile to my face, just as it did when I hear them laughing at the ages of 5 & 3.

So I guess we are all stronger in the long run.